Death sentence overturned

The State Supreme Court overturned the conviction and death sentence of Raymondeze Rivera on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Rivera was convicted in 2010 of the murder of Kwana Burns of Anderson. Rivera is serving a life sentence for the murder of Asha Wiley, another Anderson woman.

Raymondeze Rivera smiles during his 2010 murder trial. Rivera was convicted of the murder of Kwana Burns and sentenced to die. His conviction was overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court because he was not allowed to take the stand in during the trial.

Ramondeze Rivera turns toward the crowd to say sorry for killing Kwana Burns after receiving a death sentence by the jury in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera listens to video testimony, showing his grandmother Katherine Cousins in the Anderson County Courthouse. The defense presented another video of Rivera with his eight-year old son Justice.

In this file photo, Raymondeze Rivera delivers the closing arguments to the jury during his trial.

Eleanor Caldwell hugs Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams after Raymondeze Rivera was given a death sentence for the December 2006 murder of Caldwell's daughter Kwana Burns.

Judge Alexander Macaulay listens to defense attorneys make a point while the jury was not in the courtroom in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera waits for the penalty phase of his murder trial to continue after a break.

Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams talks to Eleanor Caldwell and Kenneth Caldwell before starting a day's trial proceedings in the Anderson County Courthouse. The Caldwells, the mother and stepfather of murder victim Kwana Burns, went to court to watch the trial of Burns' accused killer Raymondeze Rivera.

Raymondeze Rivera walks in the room before starting Thursday in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera gets seated next to Danny Day, one of his defense attorneys before starting Thursday in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera gets seated next to Danny Day, one of his defense attorneys before starting Thursday in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera gets a cup of water before a day's trial proceedings start in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera was convicted of the murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera looks at notes before starting Thursday in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera talks to an Anderson County Sheriff Deputy M.G. Crawford before starting Thursday in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera pauses as he and others wait for the judge to walk in the Anderson County Courthouse. Rivera is on trial on a charge of first-degree murder of Kwana Burns.

Witness and forensics pathologist Dr. Brett Woodard of AnMed Health talks about what happens when victims are strangled. Woodard spoke at the trial of Raymondeze Rivera, who was convicted in the death of Kwana Burns.

Ramondeze Rivera looks toward the Burns family as autopsy photos are shown on a projected screen to the jury with witness and forensics pathologist Dr. Brett Woodard.

Brena Gail Heath, a SLED forensic scientist points out indented impression studied in legal notepaper containing the word Raymond and a phone number Friday in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera looks toward the Burns family after the jury found him guity Friday afternoon of killing Kwana Burns on December 13, 2006.

Raymondeze Rivera talks to his defense attorneys before the beginning of the penalty phase. Rivera was found guilty Friday for the murder of Kwana Burns in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Judge Alexander Macaulay talks to defense attorneys before the penalty phase for Raymondeze Rivera in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams holds a photograph of Kwana Burns toward the jury after asking witness Kikki Hatten to identify her in the beginning of the penalty phase for Raymondeze Rivera who found guilty Friday for the murder of Burns.

Raymondeze Rivera sits near defense attorney Danny Day during the penalty phase of his case Monday. Rivera was found guilty Friday for the murder of Kwana Burns in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera smiles during a break for lunch in the penalty phase of his murder conviction at the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera waits during a break between witnesses in the Anderson County Courthouse

Raymondeze Rivera wipes his eyes while the mother of a former girlfriend spoke about how he was like a son to her during testimony in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera pauses after reading a note passed to him from the mother of two of his children during a break in witness appearances in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera looks at a note passed to him from the mother of two of his children during a break in testimony in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera pats defense attorney Danny Day on the back during a break in testimony in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Judge Alexander Macaulay listens to defense attorneys make a point while the jury was not in the courtroom in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Judge Alexander Macaulay responds to defense attorneys make a point while the jury was not in the courtroom in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera listens as a witness answers questions during the penalty phase of Rivera's murder trial on Wednesday afternoon.

Raymondeze Rivera listens as a witness answers questions during the penalty phase of Rivera's murder trial on Wednesday afternoon.

Raymondeze Rivera listens as a witness answers questions during the penalty phase of Rivera's murder trial on Wednesday afternoon.

Raymondeze Rivera's defense attorneys talk together during his trial.

Defense attorney John Delgado talks with assistant solicitor Jennifer Biford, left, and solicitor Chrissy Adams before returning from a break on Wednesday afternoon.

Defense attorney John Delgado looks over evidence during the trial for Raymondeze Rivera.

Raymondeze Rivera walks in the Anderson County Courthouse. The defense presented video testimony, showing his grandmother Katherine Cousins and another of Rivera with his eight-year old son Justice.

Raymondeze Rivera pulls his chair out to sit in the Anderson County Courthouse. The defense presented video testimony, showing his grandmother Katherine Cousins and another of Rivera with his eight-year old son Justice.

Raymondeze Rivera smiles to Daniel Day, guardian ad litem, as the day begins in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Raymondeze Rivera wipes tears during video testimony, showing his grandmother Katherine Cousins in the Anderson County Courthouse. The defense presented another video of Rivera with his eight-year old son Justice.

Tenth Cicruit Solicitor Chrissy Adams makes closing arguments to the jury, holding up a letter sent to the family of Kwana Burns.

Defense attorney John Delgado makes closing arguments, explaining his client Raymondeze Rivera was beaten with a belt similar to the one held.

Raymondeze Rivera makes the last of three closing arguments to the jury, stating he wanted to die.

Raymondeze Rivera makes the last of three closing arguments to the jury, which lasted nearly an hour.

Raymondeze Rivera makes the last of three closing arguments to the jury, stating he wanted to die. "I didn't want to live anymore," he said.

Raymondeze Rivera makes the last of three closing arguments to the jury, stating he wanted to die. "I didn't want to live anymore," he said.

Ramondeze Rivera turns toward the crowd to say sorry for killing Kwana Burns after receiving a death sentence by the jury in the Anderson County Courthouse.

Eleanor Caldwell hugs Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams after Raymondeze Rivera was given a death sentence for the December 2006 murder of Caldwell's daughter Kwana Burns.